Recent Thrifty Finds

I thought I'd show you some of my recent thrifty finds from my favorite area thrift store. I used them to practice close-up (indoor) shots with my camera! Above (and below), Pig Ribbon!

Next up: Green and Gold Fabric Ribbon

Next: Harvest Colors Star Ribbon

Lastly: Fabric covered button kit

Flea Market Finds - Part Two - Children's Books

I always scout out vintage children's books when thrifting. I am selective in what I buy, however, because my true love is the illustrations. I can't describe exactly what I'm looking for, but these two books exemplify my favorite types of illustrations. I also love wacky titles and stories, or story lines that are dated and quaint. (I found these books at the Kane County Flea Market, as referenced in my previous post). First is No Good the Dancing Donkey. I haven't read the story yet, but I have a pretty good idea of what it's about from the title alone! Love the title, love the illustrations! It's in very poor condition (as far as the binding is concerned), but the illustrations still look wonderful and that's what's important to me!

Next, A Television Book of Some Day. It is missing the "television" disc that was attached to the front cover. The only reason I know that is because I looked for other copies that were for sale on eBay and Amazon and found only one. That one is priced at $28 and is missing the front cover but has the "plastic disc". Now, if it was priced at $1 I'd buy it and marry the two copies, but $28 is a bit beyond my budget. It does make me think, however, if the economy ever improves I might be able to sell this one for a handy profit! (Although, it is in pretty poor condition). Anyway, this book fits my criteria of dated and quaint storylines - it's about what children want to be when they grow up. Of course the girls want to be teachers, mommies and singers and the boys want to be train engineers and cowboys! Great illustrations, too!

Flea Market Finds - Part One

Last weekend I went to the Kane County Flea Market (outside of Chicago). My general feeling about flea markets is that they're sort of like antique stores - you pay the going rate for anything you find. I'm more of a bargain hunter and I usually enjoy thrift stores and garage sales more than flea markets and antique stores. My first impression of the flea market was exactly that - linens for $15 and up, quilts started at $35 for the shabby ones, childrens books started at $4 a piece (these are the things I generally look at). I'm not a collector, I just like interesting things. I was only looking at linens because I wanted a vintage tablecloth for my new look in my dining room. Just when I thought I'd have to shell out $15 for a vintage tablecloth (I hate spending more than $5 per object...) I happened upon the Iowa Junk Gypsies and their travel mates. Wonderful vintage items at wonderfully low prices. I purchased almost everything I bought that day from those two venders (including the small apron from my previous post). I'm posting about my finds in three different posts. This first one is the linens post. Like I said before, I do not collect linens, but... these were irresistible! The photo above is my new dining room table cloth. I will take a picture of it in the dining room when we finish the room. It is stained, but I haven't tried to take the stains out yet and they are faded. I also plan on using the tablecloth so I'm sure it will get stained more! A bargain at $5!

Below, Saturday towel. I tried not to buy this, but the stitching is in orange. I love orange. Orange looks great in my kitchen. Sigh.

Below, in poor condition (stained around the edges, but the stitching in intact!), needlework from the $1 bin. I think it's precious - look at the teddy bear angel!

Below, my most treasured find! I'm in love with this child's shoe bag. The puppies are adorable! I can't believe I own this! When I looked for the price I fully expected to see at least $15, but no, I paid less than $10 (although I broke my $5 rule)!

Below, a very faded tablecloth that is more faded than this picture makes it look. I bought it because of the vintage Mexican images - something I don't see very often.

I'm A Winner! Part Two!

I also won this beautiful apron (called Breeze) from the talented Pretty Ditty's blog giveaway. It is sooo pretty and looks sooo beautiful hanging in my kitchen (I'll take a kitchen photo if we ever get a sunny day!) The fabrics used are from Sandi Henderson's Ginger Blossom Fabric (which Pretty Ditty sells in her fabric shop, Phat Fabric). Also, before receiving the package I bought the apron pictured below at the Kane County Flea Market, for $2! I've been having a very lucky week! I'll be posting about all the wonderful things I found at the flea market in the coming days, but for now let's appreciate how well these 2 aprons compliment each other! The vintage one is quite small and my daughters will be using it. The problem is, I have 3 daughters, so I think I'll need a couple more beautiful aprons!

Thrifted Treasures

I had the opportunity to visit one of my favorite thrift stores today and what a good day to visit it was. Although I was there to look for crafting supplies (they have a nice, big selection - especially of fabric), I found a few other things as well. I promised myself I wouldn't pick up anymore ceramic pieces from thrift stores or rummage sales, but I just couldn't help myself with these. Above is a vintage Relpo daisy vase. Below is a Pearl China Co. swan. I love them.

My big score was this embroidery kit. Below is the owl.

Here are partially finished flowers.

Here are the pictures from the package.

Here are my fabulous fabric finds - I'm using the white for an embroidery project I have planned and the plaid for the girls' quilts project I will start after finishing the doll quilts. The pink is Swiss Dot - need I say more? The blue I'm not sure about yet. It's heavy so I have to unroll it and see if it's home decor weight or just a lot of unwashed fabric rolled together. It fits in with my "stash", so I'll find something to do with it.

Lastly, E's treasures. This is what my sweet and patient little shopping partner picked out. I can't believe I didn't have to talk her out of another stuffed animal or junky game. She's a smarty pants!